What unites 45 consulting firms from 24 countries on 6 continents?
A community of practice around shared value strategy. Managed by the Shared Value Initiative, the Affiliated Professional Services (APS) Network is a global network of strategy and communications consulting firms working to advance adoption and implementation of shared value strategy.
From October 15-17, 2013, a carefully vetted group of firms from countries as diverse as Germany, India, Turkey, Japan, Canada, and Ecuador will gather in London for a three-day training program to affiliate their firms with the Shared Value Initiative. APS Network members are selected, trained, and certified in shared value consulting by FSG. Each firm operates independently in its own geographic region, but shares a common understanding, methodology, and commitment to the practice of shared value. The 45 firms that currently comprise the APS Network have been chosen for their thought leadership, consulting expertise, and experience in designing initiatives that combine business growth and social impact.
Upon completion of the program, 18 new firms from 13 countries will join the first cohort of affiliates. What do these firms have in common? A strong belief that shared value—the simultaneous pursuit of business growth and social impact—provides a powerful framework for transformational change. Likewise, a group of 18 Shared Value Initiative funding partners—including Nestlé, the Rockefeller Foundation, Verizon, Mercy Corps, and the Inter-American Development Bank—provide financial and research support for global field-building efforts.
As early adopters, APS Network members participate in a community focused on knowledge exchange, collaboration, and aligned research to advance the field of shared value at this formative stage of development. In addition to partnering with FSG on shared value research topics as diverse as extractives, education, and banking, APS Network members host regional events, develop content for sharedvalue.org, and provide guidance on how the Shared Value Initiative can better support their efforts to enhance the quality and scope of their consulting work.
In addition, FSG and the Shared Value Initiative are working on a regional basis. Plans are underway for a regional shared value initiative in Australia, as well as exploratory initiatives in Asia and Latin America. In support of APS Network firms, Shared Value Initiative and FSG staff regularly participate in regional shared value events with member firms, most recently in Japan, Thailand, Colombia, and Australia.
For additional background on shared value, we encourage you to view senior advisor of the Shared Value Initiative Michael Porter’s most recent #TEDtalk on “Why business can be good at solving social problems” and explore the Shared Value Initiative on sharedvalue.org. A full list of APS Network firms can be found here.
Read the original post in the Shared Value Community.
The Shared Value Initiative is a vibrant community of practitioners driving the adoption and implementation of shared value strategies among leading companies, civil society, and government organizations. Community members are provided a wealth of opportunities to learn, engage, and connect with peers on issues of vital importance to business and social impact.
We invite corporate, civil society, government, and individual practitioners to join who share our passion for a collaborative, action-oriented approach to rethinking the role of business in society.
– See more at: http://sharedvalue.org/user/register#sthash.wgGdsFN1.dpuf
The Shared Value Initiative is a vibrant community of practitioners driving the adoption and implementation of shared value strategies among leading companies, civil society, and government organizations. Community members are provided a wealth of opportunities to learn, engage, and connect with peers on issues of vital importance to business and social impact. Join the shared value practitioner community at sharedvalue.org>
